Moving from Arkansas to Tennessee ($2,000-$5,750)
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The cost to move from Arkansas to Tennessee ranges from $2,000 to $5,750 with full-service movers, based on 836 real quotes from moveBuddha users. A flat average only tells part of the story — our moving cost calculator weighs your exact distance, home size, and move date to price this specific Arkansas to Tennessee route. This 356-mile route guide draws on our review of 22 movers based in Arkansas.
How much does it cost to move from Arkansas to Tennessee?
The average cost of moving from Arkansas to Tennessee with full-service movers typically ranges between $2,000 to $5,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home. We calculated this average by reviewing 836 real-time quotes provided to moveBuddha users over the past 90 days. The average moving distance quoted was 356 miles.
The final price of your Arkansas to Tennessee move will be dependent on the type of mover you choose, how much you're moving, time of year, distance, access, and add-on services. Get a free and accurate estimate using our moving cost calculator.
The rates below are for full-service movers, meaning the crew loads, transports, and unloads your belongings for you:
| Move Size | Full-Service Mover Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,250 - $3,250 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,000 - $5,750 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,000 - $7,250 |
How much do moving containers cost from Arkansas to Tennessee?
A moving container from Arkansas to Tennessee costs between $750 and $3,250, depending on how much you're moving. For a 2-3 bedroom home, expect $1,250 to $2,250, roughly 55% less than full-service movers on this route. You pack and load the container yourself; the container company handles the 356-mile drive.
| Move Size | Moving Container Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $750 - $1,500 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,250 - $2,250 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $1,750 - $3,250 |
How much does a rental truck cost from Arkansas to Tennessee?
A rental truck from Arkansas to Tennessee costs between $400 and $1,000. For a 2-3 bedroom home, budget $425 to $800, about 85% less than hiring full-service movers. That figure covers the truck itself; with gas in Arkansas averaging $2.59 per gallon, fuel for the 356-mile drive, plus insurance, equipment rental, and lodging, all land on top of the base rate.
| Move Size | Rental Truck Cost |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $400 - $700 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $425 - $800 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $525 - $1,000 |
Add-on costs for an Arkansas to Tennessee move
The figures above are linehaul: crew time on both ends plus 356 miles of transport. Accessorial charges are quoted separately, and on an Arkansas to Tennessee route they commonly add 8% to 18% to the final invoice.
At 356 miles, this is a same-day haul for most carriers, so storage-in-transit and guaranteed-delivery fees rarely appear on Arkansas to Tennessee quotes. Origin-side labor charges carry more weight instead. Packing, stair carries, and appliance work in Arkansas make up a larger share of a short-haul total than they do on a cross-country move.
Cost of living is close between Arkansas and Tennessee, so accessorial pricing on this route lands near national averages at both ends. Distance, not local labor rates, is what drives the numbers below.
| Add-On Service | Typical Cost (Arkansas to Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | $475 - $1,225 |
| Packing materials only | $125 - $375 |
| Specialty item (piano, safe, pool table) | $300 - $800 |
| Appliance disconnect & reconnect | $100 - $250 |
| Stair or elevator carry | $75 - $225 |
| Auto transport (1 vehicle) | $425 - $600 |
| Full-value protection | 1% - 2% of declared shipment value |
Released-value protection at 60¢ per pound is included at no charge on every interstate move, but it pays out almost nothing on a damaged item. A 40-pound TV settles at $24. Full-value protection is the line item most worth the money on a 356-mile haul. Our moving cost calculator prices these accessorials into your Arkansas to Tennessee estimate up front instead of leaving them to surface on moving day.
Our recommended Arkansas to Tennessee Movers
Compare movers for your Arkansas to Tennessee move
We track and rate long-distance movers based in Arkansas year-round — here's how the top options for a Tennessee move stack up against each other:
4125 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock, AR 72118
461 W. 15th St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
7424 Lindsey Road, Little Rock, AR 72206
701 Navy Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72901
2501 N 4th, St E, Rogers, AR 72756
Alternate Arkansas to Tennessee moving options
DIY moving options offer real cost savings on an Arkansas to Tennessee move, with the right choice depending on how hands-on you want to be. Moving containers run about 55% less than full-service interstate movers, and rental trucks come in around 85% less.
With a rental truck (ex: U-Haul), you handle all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus added costs like fuel, insurance, and equipment rentals on top of the base rate. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, local labor-only crews in Arkansas run $60 - $81 per hour to load the truck for you, while you still drive and unload on the Tennessee end.
With a moving container (ex: PODS), you handle the packing and loading in Arkansas on your own timeline, and the container company will drop it off in Tennessee for you to unload. A standard 16-foot container (the size most 2-3 bedroom interstate moves need) typically runs $325 - $820 to rent in Arkansas, before the long-distance haul fee shown above is added.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed over 836 quotes from Arkansas to Tennessee, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tennessee to Arkansas guide.
Arkansas to Tennessee cost of living comparison
Moving from Arkansas to Tennessee means adjusting to a different cost of living, job market, and housing landscape. Our moving trends data across major U.S. routes shows these are the factors that most commonly shape a relocation like this one:
| Factor | Arkansas | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 90 | 90 |
| Average household income | $56,335 | $64,035 |
| Median home value | $208,078 | $319,208 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | 2.0% | 0.0% |
The cost of living in Tennessee is comparable to Arkansas, so most people making this move are driven by career, family, or personal reasons rather than cost differences. Day-to-day expenses should feel familiar after you settle in.
Getting to know Tennessee
Tennessee is nicknamed the Volunteer State. People who've made this move point to no income taxes, legendary music scene, and natural beauty and parks galore as the biggest draws. According to some sources, Tennessee was named after the Tennessee River, which was named for the Indian word “Tanasie,” the name of a Cherokee village.
Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
And in case you're feeling nostalgic once you're settled: Arkansas got its name from French settlers in the region. The word “Arkansas” is pronounced with a silent “s” at the end. Interestingly, it is against state law to mispronounce the word “Arkansas” while in the state.
Moving from Arkansas to Tennessee FAQs
Are full-service movers worth it for an Arkansas to Tennessee move?
People making the Arkansas to Tennessee move are often chasing abundant recreational opportunities in Tennessee — the kind of move worth protecting with professional handling rather than risking on a DIY haul.
Full-service movers are worth it for an Arkansas to Tennessee move when any of the following apply: you're moving a large home (3+ bedrooms), your timeline is tight, you have high-value or fragile items that need professional handling, or you can't take time away from work to manage the logistics of a multi-day drive across state lines.
DIY options make more sense when you're moving a smaller home (1-2 bedrooms), cost is the primary constraint, and you have the time and physical capacity to handle loading, driving, and unloading yourself. Moving containers, about 55% less than full-service, are the best middle-ground for people who want to skip the drive but still save significantly over full-service pricing.
How long does it take to move from Arkansas to Tennessee?
Plan for 1 - 4 days in transit on a full-service Arkansas to Tennessee move. Distance sets the baseline, and your final timing depends on your mover's routing schedule and whether your shipment travels solo or gets consolidated with other loads.
Moving containers take longer than full-service, typically 1 - 2 weeks from when you finish loading to delivery at your new home, because they ship by ground freight on a scheduled run. Rental trucks give you the most control over timing since you drive directly to Tennessee, but add 1 - 2 days of driving depending on the distance.
How far in advance should I book an interstate move?
Book your 356-mile Arkansas to Tennessee move 4 - 8 weeks in advance for off-season dates (October - April), and 8 - 12 weeks in advance for peak season dates (mid-May - mid-September). Booking earlier gives you better availability, lower rates, and more flexibility on pickup and delivery dates.
Peak season demand drives both rates and crew availability tighter industry-wide, so movers book up faster between mid-May and mid-September regardless of destination. For off-season moves, 4 weeks is usually enough notice for most full-service movers, but earlier booking still gives you more pricing leverage.
What hidden fees should I watch for on an interstate move?
On a 356-mile Arkansas to Tennessee move, the hidden fees most likely to add to your bill are access fees, shuttle service, fuel surcharges, specialty-item handling, and storage-in-transit. Here's what each one actually runs on this specific route:
- Access fees (stairs, elevators, long carries): $75 - $225 when the truck can't load directly at either end.
- Long carry (over 75 ft): $100 - $350, priced off Tennessee's local labor rates since it's typically charged at delivery.
- Shuttle service: $175 - $525 when the moving truck can't reach your home directly.
- Fuel surcharges: 8% - 18% of the transportation charge on a route this length, which works out to roughly $150 - $1,025 on this move.
- Specialty-item handling (piano, safe, pool table): $300 - $800 per item.
- Storage-in-transit (per month): $150 - $375.
Ask your mover for a complete fee schedule in writing before booking, and confirm which of these are already built into your Arkansas to Tennessee quote versus billed separately.
Who regulates interstate moves?
Interstate moves (any move that crosses state lines, like an Arkansas to Tennessee relocation) are regulated federally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every interstate mover needs a valid USDOT number — verify one for free at FMCSA's carrier lookup tool, and report violations to FMCSA at 1-888-368-7238.
In Arkansas: Before providing in-state household goods relocation services, Arkansas moving companies must be issued an Intrastate Authority Permit from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. In Tennessee: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
Popular Arkansas to Tennessee moving routes
These are the most common city-to-city moves on the Arkansas to Tennessee corridor. Each guide covers local mover recommendations, cost estimates specific to those metro areas, and neighborhood information to help you plan your destination.
Moving from Arkansas to Tennessee: the bottom line
The cost to move from Arkansas to Tennessee ranges from $2,000 - $5,750 for a 2-3 bedroom home with full-service movers. Moving containers and rental trucks cost 55% - 85% less for the same move. For most people making this 356-mile relocation, hiring a full-service mover is the most reliable option, especially for larger homes, time-sensitive moves, or relocations involving high-value items.
To get the best price, collect at least 3 quotes, book 4 - 12 weeks in advance depending on your season, and schedule a mid-week, mid-month pickup date when possible. Use our moving cost calculator to compare costs across all service types for your specific home size.
